Lower back pain counts to be the world’s second most common health problem. Around 85% of people suffer from lower back pain at some or other instance of their life. Moreover, it is the leading cause of disability in the world. There can be several reasons for this debilitating disease. It can be weightlifting, accidental injury, sitting in the front of the computer for long hours or genes. Over time, it becomes horrendous and more painful. However, the treatment remains to be same in most of the cases: back support belts.
What Are The Pros & Cons of Back Support Belts?
When back pain puts you through the pain and suffering, it becomes essential to stay active during the time to keep your lower back in proper function. Inactivity or underuse of muscles may lead to total disability. It makes your muscles weaker, stiffer and aggravates your existing injuries. Back support belts prove to be the ultimate rescuer at such times. Back braces always prove to be a reliable companion when it comes to excruciating lower back pain. They keep your back in proper position and posture without putting pressure on the nerves that cause pain.
Lumbar support belts are well-known for their benefits but do you know that their prolonged use can cause some disadvantages as well. In this article, we will go through the pros and cons of the back support belts and how can we take maximum benefit from them.
Pros of using Back Support Belts
The benefits of back support belts have been proven over and over in many types of research. Let us take a look:
1. Limitation of movements
A lower back injury calls for a limited spinal movements. Limiting the movements of the spinal cord helps in reducing the pain of muscles. Using the back support belts restrict the movement of the spinal cord and hold the muscles together while you move. This way, it helps in the healing of the injury.
2. Correction of deformity
Back surgeries and fundamental issues may result in the back deformity, which can turn to permanent if ignored. Using a back support belt at such times keep your spine in ideal condition and help you recover from the state of deformity.
3. Stabilization of back
Posture and stabilization of the spinal cord, both are equally important when it comes to the wellness of your lower back. Wearing a back brace regularly helps with both and makes you feel more comfortable.
4. Provision of extra support
While injury, your lower back loses the natural frequency. Using back support belts remove additional forces from it and help it regain its natural rate. It decreases the hazards of deformities and increases pain.
5. Make you feel comfortable
Lower back injuries steal your comfort and end up performing poorly at your workplace. Wearing a back support belt or lumbar support allows you to sit comfortably and concentrate on your work. It keeps your spine in a neutral position, and you don’t feel any extra pressure on it.
6. Relieves pain
You can choose for back support belts that are equipped with heating and massaging elements. Such kind of belts reduces stress from your spinal cord. The heating and massaging quotient of these belts leave a placebo effect on the pain and cure it to the core.
7. Improved posture
Wearing the back support belts while moving, bending, lifting weight and twisting helps in improving your posture. The technique works extremely well for heavyweight lifters. Even if you are not suffering from any back pain, it is advised to wear the back support belts for improved posture.
8. Reduced range of motion
Any back injury can lead to further injuries. Wearing a back support belt restricts the movement of the spinal cord. It limits the twisting and bending of your lower back, preventing the chances of pain and injury.
9. Avoidance of over-stressing
The back support belts are designed in such a way that they can remove all the extra stress from your spine. It helps you feel relaxed and comfortable. Moreover, eliminating extra forces from the spine prevents the chances of any further injury.
10. Abdominal support
Also to providing support to the lower back, back support belts give enough support to abdominal muscles as well. It works exceptionally well if someone is suffering from abdominal pain along with lower back pain.
Cons of using back support belts
As we already know, excess of everything can be harmful. Wearing a back support belt regularly can have its disadvantages. Let see us what its cons are.
1. Skin lesions
Wearing a belt of not your fit or wearing it too tight can cause skin lesions and irritation. Make sure to get a belt that fits your size.
2. Muscle atrophy
Using back braces for longer intervals of time can atrophy your muscles. It can lead to permanent injuries, and your spine may lose its well-being over time.
3. Load transfer to other muscles
Back support belts restrict load for one particular set of muscles, putting it on some different muscles. It causes discomfort or injury to other muscles of the body.
4. Gastrointestinal disorders
Wearing back support belts for longer intervals causes contractions and compression in abdominal muscles, which may lead to digestive issues.
5. High Blood pressure
The continuous pressure of back support belt on muscles can cause high blood pressure.
6. A false sense of security
By wearing the back support people become careless with lifting weights and other routine activities which may result in significant damage.
7. Dependency
Many people make wearing lumbar belts a part of their routine and keep wearing it even when they don’t need it. This kind of addiction is not right.
8. The weakening of muscles
Wearing the back support belt constantly weakens the muscles that are not in use. It is like damaging the natural structure of the body.
It is clear after reading the above discussion that lumbar belt or back supports are no less than a blessing, but one needs to use them wisely. Use them only when you need it and don’t depend on them.
